When we talk about modern web sites a phrase that gets thrown around a lot is Content Management Systems, or CMS, but have you ever wondered what exactly Content Management System is? Maybe you've wondered how your business or organization could benefit from using a CMS? Well in this article we'll walk you through what a CMS is, some common questions and answers, and the pros and cons of deploying a web site using CMS.
A Content Management System is defined as “a system providing a collection of procedures used to manage work flow in a collaborative environment.” Unfortunately, this is a somewhat vague and unhelpful description, and this is in part due to the fact that Content Management Systems is itself a vague term. In very simplified terms, it is a System that Manages Content.
So how does this relate to a web site driven by CMS? Actually, a CMS that drives a web site is a sub-type CMS called a “Web Content Management System,” or WCMS. A WCMS is “a software system that provides website authoring, collaboration, and administration tools designed to allow users with little knowledge of web programming languages or markup languages to create and manage website content with relative ease.” In layman terms this means a WCMS will help you build and maintain a website even if you don’t have programming skills.
Also, for simplicity's sake, we'll just continue to refer to WCMS as CMS, as much of the rest of the world does.
A typical CMS will use a server-side script, like PHP, to call your “content” from a database, such as MySQL, and serve it dynamically to your web site. It will use this same method to allow you to publish content, edit content, and add or remove functionality to your website through what is known as an administrative “back-end.” The actual functionality, ease of use and customization of a CMS varies greatly from one to the next, but most of them are designed to enable a non-programmer to publish content autonomously. A CMS usually features:
The only correct answer to this question is a firm “NO.” While the main purpose of a CMS is to put the power of publishing in the hands of the publisher, it still requires consistent IT support, and if you want to customize or brand the site any further than what your template allows, you will need a web designer to help you with this.
You will also need a Designer or IT person to install and deploy the CMS for you. Additionally, the more users you have fiddling around in the back-end of your web site the greater the chances of something going awry.
Bottom line, your site will still require technical support, but you will no longer have to call your webmaster every time a word is misspelled. In the long run this will still save you money, all while giving you a modern site with great functionality, security and appearance. So you as a publisher can do what you do best – focus on content. Meanwhile your webmaster can do what they do best – focus on structure, functionality and design.
Although I strongly believe CMS system are largely becoming the standard, they may not be for everyone. Setting one up and managing it, while not typically requiring a deep understanding of programming languages, does involve tasks that require a strong technical background and familiarity with web standards and best practices. So employing an in-house IT professional or hiring an outside party to set up and manage the CMS for you is practically a given.
So the better question may be, what do you expect from your web site? If you want a landing page with some pictures of your friends and family or a simple blog, than a CMS might be more web site than you need. However, if you want to take control of a full-blown online publishing platform or eCommerce solution for your business, then you simply cannot ignore the many potential advantages a CMS may provide you.
Sound off in the comments below if you have any questions about Content Management Systems, or if you're think about setting one up for your web presence, go ahead and hit that "Talk to an Expert" button.